Sanitary napkin



Nov. 13, 1934. A A ROHLFlNG SANITARY NAPKIN Filed Nov. 24, 1935 Patented Nov. 13, 1934 UNI-TED STATI-:s

PATENT OFFICE SANITARY NAPKIN Application November 24, 1933, Serial No. 699,592

2 Claims.

My invention, while useful generally with articles capable or intended for pin connection, is mainly addressed to articles of personal wear and particularly to sanitary napkins. 5 Most sanitary napkins embody a pad or lling and a wrapper or casing of gauze of sufficient length to provide tabs for connection with a belt or other support. The low thread count or coarse weave of the gauze affords poor not to say insecure anchorage for pins and the like penetrating fastenings and so the usual practice is to bunch the tab folds. Obviously, this makes for bulk and discomfort and is very annoying and embarrassing aside from the fact that it is quite a problem with form-tting apparel.

'Ihe object of the invention is to provide a method and means whereby bunching is obviated, the tabs being reinforced in a simple and inexpensive way so that not only may pins or other penetrating fastenings be used with impunity but tabs of even shorter length may be employed.

Briefly stated, the nature of the invention consists in unifying an area of a gauze tab with a .thermo-plastic material not adhesive at ordinary temperatures but which through the application of appropriate heat, say 200 degrees F., becomes readily adhesive and in response to pressure servesrto cement the threads, and if carried far enough, the several folds of the gauze tab whereby it provides safe anchorage for penetrating fastenings.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanyling drawing wherein Figure l -is a plan view of a conventional napkin consisting of a pad o'r filling and a gauze casing and whereof the tabs are equipped with my improved pinning provision.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a modication, and

Fig. 4 is a section thereof.

In the practice of the invention I unify an area or areas of the tab 5, to prevent spreading or distortion' of the threads, by applying a thermoplastic compound ultimately useful as a pinning patch 6.- 'I'he compound may be applied direct and its application may be selectively controlled either to be confined to one face of the tab or to penetrate clear through the tab. In the latter event it will effectively lock the folds vof the tab and insure theat or sheeted condition of the same. The controllable depth and area of the compound is more or less a matter of appropriate heat and pressure. 55 In lieu of applying the compound in a free or mobile state I may employ, as in Figs. 3 and 4, a circular, square, or other suitable patch '7 consisting of a sheet of fabric or paper coated on one side with thermo-plastic material and which merges or unifies the threads of the pad in response to heat and pressure. The reinforced patch 7 may be formed with pin holes 8.

In either case it will be understood that the patched or reinforced area, `While offering perfect security to the application of pins or the like simple` fastenings adapted for quick and conformable attachment to wearing apparel, is, in no sense, a stiff, unyielding and brittle element. On the contrary, in its fixated state the pinning area is bendable and moldable at will to accommodate 7o the fastening and to meet the requirements of the user. I am aware that there are many avails of resinoid and the like thermo-plastic materials suitablel for the purpose described. Hence, it is without limitation and merely by way of example that I refer to a composition that has been eminently successful. Such composition may include cellulose nitrates, denatured alcohol, toluol, ethyl acetate, dibutyl' phthalate and synthetic resin. 8o

Inasmuch as my invention makes it unnecessary to bunch the tabs it will be apparent that shorter tabs may be employed. This has a twofold merit in that it saves material and, hence, is a source of economy to the manufacturer, and it eliminates bulk and undesirable bulging and, hence, is a boon tothe user.

Having described the invention, I claim:

1. A sanitary napkin having gauze tabs equipped with pinning areas defined by flexible patches of thermoplastic material, said patches extending to the ends of the tabs to provide selvage edges and being spaced from the napkin `iiilling so as not to impair the conformable prop- 

